Natalie and I are excited about this story we shot for 7 For All Mankind in partnership with Who What Wear. Trend to be discussed? Summer’s beloved denim short. We all had phases where the denim short came and went. I remember the years I lived in my denim shorts all winter long with my opaque black tights. You can do that during the winter in Southern California. But of course, like any born and raised California girl, denim shorts have a long lived place on our hips during the summer months. Summer shorts tell the stories of unpredictable adventure. Summer romance. Road trips. And all the other things that come along with the idea of summer. 7 For All Mankind brought back these sort of feelings for me out in the desert. But I’m no longer a teenager in her denim shorts and Converse. I’ve found new ways to wear my favorite summer staple. Together, Natalie and I focused on three ways to refresh the classic denim short. Shake it up a bit. Add some sophistication. A subtle twist. The denim shorts of our past feel all grown up today, and there are a million ways to wear them that way. Here we show you three: Retro, All Americana, and Western.

Denim for me always has to be a blast to the past. With my look here I incorporated colors and patterns reminiscent of the past that still complemented my denim. I wore this 7 For All Mankind dark blue denim romper, with a sheer pink blouse underneath, and some retro pink sunglasses. Together, the colors mixed very well, but still the standout pieces was the denim. I love dark blue denim with pink. It’s a classic!

This look is all about appreciating our American roots, with a focus on blue denim shorts because Nat and I are California natives. Denim is literally in our DNA. We can’t live without it! No better way to go All Americana that to focus on rugged blue denim. I wanted to go all out in a more playful way with red, white and blue. A white lace top, a red bandeau, and classic sneakers turned out to be the perfect pairing for denim shorts. All that was missing was a milkshake. Maybe some fries.

Third Look: Western ft.

7 For All Mankind Off The Shoulder Denim Ruffle Top (In Pacific Blue Sky) // SHOP HERE7 For All MankindCut Off Short with Aggressive Destroy (in Seratoga) // SHOP HERE7 For All Mankind Classic Denim Jacket (in Eden Port) // SHOP HERE7 For All Mankind Cut Off Short in Peony // SHOP HERE

I define this style as being a little more rugged than usual, heavier with layering, and always throw a hat on and wear a good boot! My shorts were pink (not your typical western color, but that’s why I love it!!) so I wanted to play with that. My blouse was playful and was used to amplify my pink shorts, but the denim jacket gave it a more western, tomboy flare. Boots were the finishing touch. I bet you have never seen a cowgirl wear pink before. I’ll start the trend then 🙂

It was a fun process for Nat and I to watch each other’s style direction get into action with each trend category. For each group, we came up with totally different looks, but in some peculiar way we complemented each other very well. Maybe it’s just a sister thing. I mean, we do start and end each other’s sentences. By the end of the shoot, we both agreed on the same thing . . . that our retro looks were our absolute favorites. We grew up with a fashionable mom. I used to play dress up with her wardrobe, and her style inspired me to vintage shop. Second hand shopping was how I came to find my personal style, and my way to stand out from the crowd as a teenager. 7ForAllMankind‘s latest collection was nostalgia all over again for me . . . styles that jumped out at me from old pictures of my mom when she was my age. The denim romper was something my mom totally would have worn and rocked with confidence back then, and now I get the chance to wear the style in my own way today. What goes around, comes around, as they like to say. But all that I really want to say right now, is how much I am embracing my bare legs this summer. The new wave of denim shorts of getting me excited.